WO2005001795A2

WO2005001795A2 - Tubular member and method for identifying same

Info

Publication number: WO2005001795A2
Application number: PCT/GB2004/002605
Authority: WO
Inventors: Barry Williams; Reinhold Kammann; Manfred Hermann Worms
Original assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.; Lucas, Brian
Priority date: 2003-06-27
Filing date: 2004-06-15
Publication date: 2005-01-06
Also published as: WO2005001795A3

Abstract

A tubular member such as drill pipe comprising a body and identification indicia characterised in that the identifying indicia comprises at least one circumferential band around the body for identifying the tubular member. Preferably, the at least one circumferential band comprises a metal which preferably is applied by hardbanding.

Description

TUBULAR MEMBER AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING SAME This invention relates to a tubular member and methods for marking and identifying tubular members . Such tubular members may be drill pipe, casing, tubulars and any downhole tool for connection in a string of tubular members . The process of drilling hydrocarbon production wells involves the use of numerous segments of drill pipe that are interconnected in an end-to-end fashion to form a drill string, which then support a bottom hole assembly and drill bit. A single well may use hundreds of individual drill pipe segments to make up a drill string. As a result, a drilling company may need to keep track of a worldwide inventory of hundreds of thousands of drill pipe segments. This is extremely difficult, since the segments are not consistently marked with indications of source, quality and the like. Further, the markings that are applied to a drill pipe segment, either during manufacture or thereafter, are physically small in size and prone to being worn away after some period of use . Marking of drill pipe sections serves several important functions . These functions include tracking and accountability since they permit verification that the sections that were received at a well site were what was actually shipped from the pipe manufacturer or inspection agency. The pipe may also be marked to designate ownership. Asset tracking is another important function of marking. Drill pipe sections may become lost through error, such as misrouting, or theft. An effective marking and identification system could help eliminate these losses, and the cost savings would be subs antial . Finally, marking would allow the pipe to be tracked during the drilling process , during which some of the pipe is sitting in racks and some of it is deployed at varying depths in the well being drilled. In that way, wear on the pipe due to the drilling process can be monitored and problems arising from excessive wear or improper drill pipe usage avoided. A variety of current markings are typically placed on a flat at the pin end of the drill pipe section. These markings are small engravings of numbers or other identifying indicia . In some marking schemes, once a drill string is made up, by interconnecting several drill pipe sections together, however, it is impossible to read these markings without disassembling the drill string. Also, the markings are physically small in size and, therefore, are only visible upon close inspection. Attempts have been made to use electronic tags, in the form of embedded microchips , as a method of identifying drill string pipe sections . An example of this is the system that is described in U.S. Patent 5,142,128, issued to Perkin et al . Unfortunately, this has proven to be an unsatisfactory solution. The downhole environment is particularly harsh, due to the presence of extremely high temperatures , corrosive chemicals, physical hazards, and so forth. As a result, the electronic chips are prone to failure at an unacceptably high rate af er a period of use . There has long been a need, recognized by the present inventors, for an identification system that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art systems. There has long been a need, recognized by the present inventors , to provide an ef icient and accurate arking and identification system for tubular members, such as drill pipe sections and for tracking same . According to the present invention, there is provided a tubular member comprising a body and identification indicia characterised in that said identifying indicia comprises at least one circumferential band around the tubular member. The at least one circumferential band surrounds a portion of the length of the tubular member and may not be a complete ring, but a portion thereof. The bands are preferably highly visible . The use of circumferential bands is advantageous in that the bands provide a conspicuous visual indicator that can be easily seen even when the drill pipe segments are made up into a drill string. The use of circumferential bands is also advantageous in that the indicia can be read regardless of the orientation of the drill pipe, which is not true for smaller markings wherein the pipe segment must be oriented such that the reader can scan the marking. Preferably, the at least one circumferential band comprises metal material. Advantageously, the metal material is from the group consisting of carbides, hardfacing materials, hardbanding materials, and tungsten carbides. Preferably, the metal material is applied to the body of said tubular member by a method from the group consisting of hardbanding method, hardfacing method, and flame spray method. Hardbanding provides a durable ring of metal . A highly preferred process for applying the hardbanding is a high velocity oxygen flame spray technique that applies a powderized metal coating to the exterior surface of a drill pipe member . Advantageously, the at least one circumferential band is a plurality of spaced- part bands. Preferably, the plurality of spaced-apart bands form a readable bar code. Advantageously, the plurality of spaced-apart bands comprises bands which are not all the same colour. Preferably, the plurality of spaced-apart bands have various widths in order to give the tubular member an identity, preferably a unique identity. Advantageously, the plurality of spaced-apart bands and spaced at various widths in order to give the tubular member an identity, preferably a unique identity, wherein the combination of differing widths of the bands, the differing widths of the spaces between the bands and/or the colour of the bands each contribute to giving the tubular member a unique identity. Preferably, the body of the tubular member is made of a first metal and the at least one circumferential band is made of a second metal, each metal having a magnetic sensitivity, the magnetic sensitivity of the first metal different from the magnetic sensitivity of the second metal . Advantageously, the body of the tubular member is made of a first metal and the at least one circumferential band is made of a second metal, each metal having a thermal conductivity, the thermal conductivity of the first metal different from the thermal conductivity of the second metal . Preferably, the identifying indicia indicate identity of a manufacturer of the tubular member. Advantageously, the identifying indicia indicate information from the group consisting of last date of inspection of the tubular member, amount of usage of the tubular member within a wellbore, and relative location of a tubular member in a tubular string. This information may be obtained by changing the properties of the at least one band, but preferably, an electronic reader identi ies the tubular om the bands , which produces a reference code, the reference code. A database stores information in a recocrd comprising a plurality of fields. One of the fields is a reference code field. The reference code obtained by the electronic reader is inserted into a find facility in the database to look up the associated record. From which the user can access the information from at least one of the other fields . The fields may comprise a information from the group consisting of last the identity of the manu acturer, date of inspection of the tubular member, amount of usage of the tubular member within a wellbore, and relative location of a tubular member in a tubular string. Preferably, the body of the tubular member comprises an upset, said at least one circumferential band located on said upset. The present invention also provides an apparatus for identifying a tubular member comprising a body and identification indicia wherein said identifying indicia comprises at least one circumferential band around the tubular member and a reader device for reading said information contained in said at least one band. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an electronic device and access means for accessing a database. The present invention also provides a method comprises the steps of placing reading apparatus and a tubular member adjacent each other, the reading apparatus obtaining information from the at least one circumferential band around the body to identify the tubular member. The reader reads and decodes the information that is encoded within the at least one band. Advantageously, the at least one circumferential band is a plurality of spaced-apart bands, the method further comprising the steps of using the reading apparatus to obtain information from the at least one circumferential band. Preferably, the plurality of spaced-apart bands form a readable bar code, the reader apparatus including bar code reader apparatus , the method further comprising the steps of using the bar code reader to obtain information from the bar code . Advantageously, magnetic flux inducing apparatus is provided adjacent the tubular member, wherein the reader apparatus includes apparatus for sensing magnetic flux, and wherein the body is made of a first metal and the at least one circumferential band is made of a second metal, each metal having a magnetic sensitivity, the magnetic sensitivity of the first metal different from the magnetic sensitivity of the second metal, the method further comprising the steps of inducing magnetic flux on the body and on the at least one circumferential band, and reading differences with the reader apparatus between the plurality of spaced-apart bands and spaces therebetween. The bands have a different magnetic sensitivity than the remainder of the tubular member. The bar code reader would then detect differences in induced magnetic flux between the bands and voids therebetween. Preferably, heating apparatus is provided adjacent the tubular member, wherein the reader apparatus includes apparatus for sensing heat, and wherein the body is made of a first metal and the at least one circumferential band is made of a second metal, each metal having a thermal absorptivity, the thermal absorptivity of the first metal different from the thermal absorptivity of the second metal, the method further comprising the steps of heating the body and the at least one circumferential band, and reading differences with the reader apparatus between the plurality of spaced-apart bands and spaces therebetween. The bar code reader would then preheat the area and sense the difference in the thermal absorption of the bands. In another alternative embodiment, alternate colors could be used that would enable reading by optical means common in the current art. Advantageously, the bands of the plurality of spaced-apart bands alternate in colour and the reader apparatus includes colour reading apparatus . Preferably, the tubular member is for use in a wellbore and the reader apparatus is adjacent the wellbore. Advantageously, the identification indicia is from the group consisting of indicia indicating manufacturer of the tubular member, last date of inspection of the tubular member, amount of usage of the tubular member within a wellbore, and relative location of a tubular member in a tubular string. Preferably, the at least one circumferential band is of metal material and applied to the body by a method from the group consisting of hardbanding method, hardfacing method, and flame spray method and preferably, the metal material is from the group consisting of carbides, hardfacing materials, hardbanding materials, and tungsten carbides .

The present invention also provides a tubular member comprising a body and identification indicia characterised in that said identifying indicia comprises a plurality of slots therein readable by reader apparatus . The identifying information is encoded with the pattern of the slots, and can be read using a suitable reader. Preferably, the plurality of slots are arranged in a plate receivable within a corresponding recess in a tubular member. Advantageously, the plate is disk shaped. Preferably, each slot of the plurality of slots is filled with resilient clear material . The slots may be of different widths and have spaces therebetween of differing width to form a barcode . The present invention also provides a member comprising a body and identification indicia characterised in that said identifying indicia comprises at least one amount of metal material on said body forming a readable bar code. Preferably, the body has at least one surface that is generally flat. Advantageously, the body is generally cylindrical. Advantageously, the plurality of spaced- apart amounts are inset in the body and do not project outwardly from the body beyond a surface of the body. The present invention also provides a method for identifying a tubular member, the method comprising placing reading apparatus and a tubular member adjacent each other, the tubular member comprising a body, identification indicia on the body comprising a plurality of spaced-apart amounts of metal material forming a readable bar code, and reading the identification indicia on the body to identify the tubular member. Preferably, the plurality of spaced-apart amounts of metal material are applied to the body by a method from the group consisting of hardbanding method, hardfacing method, and flame spray method. Advantageously, the metal material is hard metal material from the group consisting of carbides, hardfacing materials, hardbanding materials, and tungsten carbides . Preferably, the method further comprises applying metal identification indicia to the body, the metal identification indicia applied as a readable bar code. In certain aspects, the identification system of the present invention allows tracking of pipe segments as they go into a wellbore, therefore, tracking wear on particular segments. In addition, the location of a particular segment within a drill string might be noted so that data could be collected regarding the nature of usage of the pipe segment. For example, pipe segments that are at the lower end of a drill string undergo greater wear over a longer period of time than pipe segments that are located at the upper end of the drill pipe string. The identifying indicia are useful for designating the source (i.e., manufacturer) of a particular drill pipe segment, or quality or grade of material that has been used to make the particular segment. Alternatively or additionally, the identifying indicia might provide an indicator of the last date or other data relating to the inspection of the pipe segment, or the amount of usage that the segment has experienced within a wellbore. For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings , in whic : Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of a drill pipe segment in accordance with the present invention incorporating marked with a series of circumferential rings ; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a bar code scanning device reading the series of circumferential rings disposed upon the drill pipe segment; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a drill pipe segment in accordance with the present invention incorporating an alternative marking; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the marking shown in Figure 3 ; Figure 5A is a front view of an item with a flat surface and a bar code according to the present invention. Figure 5B is a side cross-section view of the item of Figure 5A. Figure 1 shows a drill pipe segment 10 having an axial end 12 known as an upset. As is known in the art, a drill pipe segment is generally cylindrical and defines a mud passage axially therethrough. Alternatively, the tubular section can be, within the scope of the present invention, part of any tubular member , e.g., but not limited to casing, tubing, pipe, and riser. The axial end 12 of the drill pipe segment 10 is provided with a threaded pin-type connector 14, which is formed to mate with a complimentary box-type threaded connector, in a manner that is well-known. A known marking 16 is depicted in Figure 1. As can be seen, this type of marking is located on the flat area at the base of the threaded connector 14 and, thus, will be hidden, when the drill pipe segment 10 is interconnected with an adjoining segment. The segment 10 presents a radially enlarged tool joint portion 17 and a central body 18 that presents a radially outer surface. This known marking is made redundant or may be supplemented by the marking of the present invention. A series of circumferential rings 20 surround the body 18 of the segment 10. In one embodiment, the rings 20 consist of powderized metal that has been deposited upon the outer surface of the body 18 using a flame spray process . The rings may be on the portion 17 or on the central body 18 or both. One suitable flame spray process for this application is the H .N. O . F . (High Velocity Oxy Fuel) thermal spray process that is provided by St. Louis Metallizing Company of 4123 Sarpy Avenue. St. Louis, MO 63110. This flame spray process uses a high velocity flame to bond a sprayed metal coating to a substrate. In currently preferred embodiments, the sprayed metal coating consists of tungsten carbide, which provides hard and corrosion resistant rings 20. The powderized metal coatings that result and form the rings 20 are particularly resilient and resistant to removal or damage from the downhole environment. It is noted also that a colourful powdered metal is used to make the rings 20 so that they are clearly visible and conspicuous. It is within the scope of the present invention to use any known hardfacing material (e.g., but not limited to, carbides and tungsten carbides) and any known hardfacing system and method to apply the rings 20. Also, different rings 20 may be made of different materials. The rings 20 are separated from one another by voids 22. As a result, information can be encoded into the rings 20 and their spacing, to create a machine-readable binary representation of the encoded information. Techniques for such encoding are well known in the art of bar code creation. One example of the creation of such bar codes, using spaced, vertical bars is described in U.S. Patent No. 6,220,333. The identifying information may be encoded using a Uniform Produce Code (UPC) bar code or other encoding scheme. Additionally, the presence of a ring 20 may have independent significance, apart from a bar code . For example , in an exemplary identification scheme incorporating the rings 20, a ring 20 might be added to the body 18 for every year of service that the drill pie segment 10 has seen, thereby providing a readily apparent indicator of the age and/or usage of the pipe segment 10. Referring now to Figure 2 , the exemplary drill pipe segment 10 is shown disposed alongside a bar code scanning device 30, which includes, generally, a sensing head 32 and a storage and decoding means 34. The sensing head 32 may be of any type known in the art for sensing and reading bar codes. Typically, however, the sensing head 32 includes a laser to illuminate the surface of the body 18 and detects differences in the reflectivity between the rings 20 and the voids 22. In order to read and decode the information encoded within the rings 20, the sensing head 32 is moved along axially along the body 18 of the drill pipe segment 10, as indicated by arrows 36. The scanned information is decoded and stored within the storage portion 34. The scanning device can be provided in the form of a handheld device or a larger, fixed scanning device. In an alternative embodiment, the rings 20 are formed of a metal having a different thermal conductivity than the drill pipe 10. As a result, the rings 20 will expand in response to heat at a different rate than the metal forming the body of the drill pipe 10. The drill pipe segment 10 and the rings 20 are then subjected to heating. A suitable thermal reader can then detect differences in thermal absorption to detect the presence of rings 20 along the tool body 18. The rings 20 may then be decoded, using conventional bar code scanning techniques. In another embodiment, the rings 20 may be formed using different colours of flame spray applied powdered metals . The colours or combination of colours of the rings 20 may be used to indicate different owners, age of the drill pipe segment 10 , or other identifying information . Figure 3 illustrates an alternative device for identifying a drill string segment. An exemplary drill pipe segment 40 is shown having an identification disk 42 fixedly secured within a sidewall 44 of the segment 40. There is an exposed central portion 46 of the disk 42 and a surrounding retained portion 48. The structure and function of an exemplary identification disk 42 is illustrates in Figure 4. As shown there, the exposed central portion 46 has a pattern of slots 50 that are cut therewithin. The pattern of the slots 50, including the presence or absence of slots, the number of slots , the arrangement, slot shape, and so forth encodes identifying information concerning the particular pipe segment 40. Preferably, the slots 50 are filled with a resilient, but clear, resin, so that the slots 50 and their configuration are not damaged during operation of the drill pipe segment 40 in a wellbore, or from other hazards . The disk 42 may be flat as shown or it may be curved to correspond to the curve of a cylindrical member or curved member with which it is used. A reader (not shown) is placed proximate the disk 42. The reader is capable of reading the configuration of the slots 50 and decoding the information encoded therein. Suitable readers for this application include an ultrasonic reader, a laser reader, a camera system, and an eddy current reader . Figure 5A shows an item 60 according to the present invention which has thereon a series of bars 61 to 64 which may be made of any of the materials mentioned above such as carbides , hardfacing materials , hardbanding materials, and tungsten carbides and preferably the material is applied to the body of said tubular member by a method from the group consisting of hardbanding method, hardfacing method, and flame spray method and may be applied using any of the techniques described above, such as hardfacing. The bars 61 - 64 may form a bar code which is readable in any of the ways mentioned above for reading a bar code (e.g. for reading a bar code formed by the rings 20 or for reading a disk 42) . The bars 61 to 64 may be spaced-apart any suitable distance; may have any suitable width; and/or there may be any suitable number of bars , as there may be any suitable number of rings 20 , to form identifying indicia and/or a readable bar code . The bars 61 to 64 are on a flat surface 65 of part 66 of the item 60. As shown in Figure 5B the bars 61 to 64 may be inset into the part 66 so they do not protrude above a top level of the surface 65 (as may also be the case with any ring, or bar herein, including but not limited to, the rings 20) . Optionally, the bars 61 to 64 and any bar or bars on a flat surface according to the present invention may be raised above the surface to which they are applied.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A tubular member comprising a body and identi ication indicia characterised in that said identifying indicia comprises at least one circumferential band around the tubular member.

2. A tubular member as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said at least one circumferential band comprises metal material .

3. A tubular member as claimed in Claim 2 , wherein the metal material is the metal material is from the group consisting of carbides , hardfacing materials , hardbanding materials, and tungsten carbides and preferably the metal material is applied to the body of said tubular member by a method from the group consisting of hardbanding method, hardfacing method, and flame spray method.

4. A tubular member as claimed in Claim 1 , 2 or 3 , wherein said at least one circumferential band is a plurality of spaced-apart bands .

5. A tubular member as claimed in Claim 4 , wherein the plurality of spaced-apart bands form a readable bar code.

6. A tubular member as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart bands comprises bands which are not all the same colour.

7. A tubular member as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6 , wherein said plurality of spaced-apart bands have various widths .

8. A tubular member as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7 , wherein said plurality of spaced-apart bands and spaced at various widths .

9. A tubular member as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is made of a first metal and the at least one circumferential band is made of a second metal, each metal having a magnetic sensitivity, the magnetic sensitivity of the first metal different from the magnetic sensitivity of the second metal .

10. A tubular member as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body is made of a first metal and the at least one circumferential band is made of a second metal, each metal having a thermal conductivity, the thermal conductivity of the first metal different from the thermal conductivity of the second metal .

11. A tubular member as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the identifying indicia indicate identity of a manufacturer of the tubular member.

12. A tubular member as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the identifying indicia indicate information from the group consisting of last date of inspection of the tubular member, amount of usage of the tubular member within a wellbore, and relative location of a tubular member in a tubular string.

13. A tubular member as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said body comprises an upset, said at least one circumferential band located on said upset.

14. An apparatus for identifying a tubular member comprising a body and identification indicia wherein said identifying indicia comprises at least one circumferential band around the tubular member and a reader device for reading said information contained in said at least one band.

15. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 14, further comprising an electronic device and access means for accessing a database.

16. A method for identifying a tubular member, the method comprising the steps of placing reading apparatus and a tubular member adjacent each other, the reading apparatus obtaining information from the at least one circumferential band around the body to identify the tubular member .

17. A method in accordance with Claim 16, wherein the at least one circumferential band is a plurality of spaced- apart bands , the method further comprising the steps of using the reading apparatus to obtain information from the at least one circumferential band.

18. A method in accordance with Claim 17, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart bands form a readable bar code, the reader apparatus including bar code reader apparatus , the method further comprising the steps of using the bar code reader to obtain information from the bar code .

19. A method in accordance with Claim 16 or 17, wherein magnetic flux inducing apparatus is provided adjacent the tubular member, wherein the reader apparatus includes apparatus for sensing magnetic flux, and wherein the body is made of a first metal and the at least one circumferential band is made of a second metal, each metal having a magnetic sensitivity, the magnetic sensitivity of the first metal different from the magnetic sensitivity of the second metal, the method further comprising the steps of inducing magnetic flux on the body and on the at least one circumferential band, and reading differences with the reader apparatus between the plurality of spaced-apart bands and spaces therebetween.

20. A method in accordance with claim 16 or 17, wherein heating apparatus is provided adjacent the tubular member, wherein the reader apparatus includes apparatus for sensing heat, and wherein the body is made of a first metal and the at least one circumferential band is made of a second metal , each metal having a thermal absorptivity, the thermal absorptivity of the first metal different from the thermal absorptivity of the second metal, the method further comprising the steps of heating the body and the at least one circumferential band, and reading differences with the reader apparatus between the plurality of spaced-apart bands and spaces therebetween.

21. A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the bands of the plurality of spaced-apart bands alternate in colour and the reader apparatus includes colour reading apparatus .

22. A method in accordance with any of Claims 16 to 21 wherein the tubular member is for use in a wellbore and the reader apparatus is adjacent the wellbore.

23. A method in accordance with any of Claims 16 to 21, wherein the identification indicia is from the group consisting of indicia indicating manufacturer of the tubular member, last date of inspection of the tubular member, amount of usage of the tubular member within a wellbore, and relative location of a tubular member in a tubular string.

24. A member as claimed in any of Claims 16 to 23, wherein the at least one circumferential band is of metal material and applied to the body by a method from the group consisting of hardbanding method, hardfacing method, and flame spray method and preferably, the metal material is from the group consisting of carbides, hardfacing materials, hardbanding materials, and tungsten carbides.

25. A tubular member comprising a body and identification indicia characterised in that said identifying indicia comprises a plurality of slots therein readable by reader apparatus .

26. A tubular member as claimed in Claim 25, wherein said a plurality of slots are arranged in a plate receivable within a corresponding recess in a tubular member .

27. A tubular member as claimed in Claim 26, wherein the plate is disk shaped.

28. A tubular member as claimed in Claim 25, 26 or 27, wherein each slot of the plurality of slots is filled with resilient clear material .

29. A member comprising a body and identification indicia characterised in that said identifying indicia comprises at least one amount of metal material on said body forming a readable bar code .

30. A member as claimed in Claim 29 wherein the body has at least one surface that is generally flat.

31. A member as claimed in Claim 30 wherein the body is generally cylindrical .

32. A member as claimed in Claim 30 or 31 wherein the plurality of spaced-apart amounts are inset in the body and do not project outwardly from the body beyond a surface of the body.

33. A method for identifying a tubular member, the method comprising placing reading apparatus and a tubular member adjacent each other, the tubular member comprising a body, identification indicia on the body comprising a plurality of spaced-apart amounts of metal material forming a readable bar code, and reading the identification indicia on the body to identify the tubular member.

34. The member of claim 33 wherein the plurality of spaced-apart amounts of metal material are applied to the body by a method from the group consisting of hardbanding method, hardfacing method, and flame spray method.

35. The method of claim 27 wherein the metal material is hard metal material from the group consisting of carbides , hardfacing materials , hardbanding materials , and tungsten carbides .

36 A method for marking a member, the member having a body, the method comprising applying metal identi ication indicia to the body, the metal identification indicia applied as a readable bar code .